Flooring Trade Associations and Resources
Author: Terry Weinheimer (94 Articles)
Terry Weinheimer, resides in Oregon where he is a certified flooring inspector, floor covering consultant and educator.
AFA – American Floorcovering Alliance(formerly DFCMA) is located in Dalton, Georgia, the carpet capital of the world was formed in 1979 to promote the floor covering industry. AFA, a not for profit association, promotes the industry’s products and services to the world, and educates the members and others through seminars, press releases, and trade shows.
AFMA – American Fiber Manufacturers Association: Since 1935, the Fiber Economics Bureau has been the only source of direct statistics on the United States manufactured fiber industry and its products – acrylic, nylon, polyester, olefin, rayon, glass fiber, and others.
AIA – American Institute of Architects comprises some 300 component organizations (chapters) across the country and around the world to serve the needs of U.S. architects at the national, state, and local levels, including American architects working in foreign locales. These components may be of assistance to individuals seeking information about architects in specific areas.
ALSC – American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated is the basis for the sale and purchase of virtually all softwood lumber traded in North America. The ALS system also provides the basis for acceptance of lumber and design values for lumber by the building codes throughout the United States.
APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a non-profit trade association with 70 years of experience, is the authoritative source for information on structural wood products.
ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials: ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services.
AWMA - American Walnut Manufacturers Association is an international trade association representing manufacturers of walnut lumber, dimension lumber, veneer, walnut squares, and gunstock blanks. The association was first organized in 1912.
CHPVA – Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association is the national association representing the Canadian hardwood plywood and veneer industry in all technical, regulatory, quality assurance, and product acceptance.
CSACP – Canadian Stone Association has brought together more than 100 companies engaged in various stone-related activities. The Association’s primary mission is to sponsor and conduct activities and events aimed at promoting its members’ products and services; to facilitate the exchange of information concerning the stone industry and to express members’ views and interests known among regulatory and governmental bodies.
CCC – Carpet Cushion Council provides carpet cushion manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and installers with information that helps them understand, sell and install separate carpet cushion. Council members include U.S. and Canadian manufacturers of prime polyurethane foam, bonded polyurethane, sponge rubber, natural fiber and synthetic fiber cushion. Cushion industry suppliers such as chemical producers and equipment suppliers also are members of the Council.
CFI – Certified Floorcovering Installers Association was founded in November of 1993. It is a organization devoted to carpet installers. Besides certifying and training installers they also help set the standards for quality installations. There are 41 Chapters and new ones forming that provide a source for continuing education, problem solving and the sharing of ideas between professional commercial and residential Installers.
CRI – Carpet and Rug Institute is the issues-oriented national trade association representing the carpet and rug industry. Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, the Institute’s membership consists of manufacturers representing 95% of all carpet produced in the United States, and suppliers of raw materials and services. This is also a wonderful resource for consumers wanting more information on carpeting.
CTEF – Ceramic Tile Education Foundation was created to establish a local, regional, and national educational and training programs for consumers, installers, contractors, and sales associates interested in the installation of ceramic tile.
DFCMA – Dalton Floor Covering Market Association – the (formerly CMMA) was formed in 1979 to promote the carpet & rug industry, its’ products and services, and to educate the members and others through seminars, press releases, and trade shows.
EPLF – The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring – The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring was founded in 1994 in Bonn, Germany. Currently, some 20 companies producing and marketing laminate flooring on their own account and with their headquarters within the European Union are regular members of EPLF. The Association only accepts such manufacturers as are committed to high standards of quality and implement suitable production processes.
EBS – European Bamboo Society is an informal federation of national European bamboo societies, each of which has its own administration and membership.
FIANA – Flooring Installation Association of North America provide the flooring installation industry a forum for manufacturers and distributors alike to discuss mutual solutions to industry situations that may develop, as well as fostering communications between these two groups.
FCICA – Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association – to further all aspects of professionalism, quality and profitability in the floor covering industry in order to provide a support mechanism for its members and ensure customer satisfaction.
FCITS - Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Service, was established in 1988 under the name Floor Covering Institute of Technical Services, Inc. The FCITS offers inspector training and certification.
HMA – Hardwood Manufacturers Association sponsors the Hardwood Information Center gives a wealth of information about hardwood floors, including tips for designing, buying and maintaining hardwood floors.
Hardwood Council, The: Founded in 1993, the Hardwood Council is a coalition of 11 hardwood lumber and product associations. The Council provides technical information on North American hardwood applications for builders, architects, interior designers and others.
HOVA – Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association promotes the interests of its members and the hardwood plywood, veneer and laminated wood flooring industries. The Association not only obtains and disseminates practical business and educational information, it also develops industry statistics. HPVA also strives to keep members abreast of the latest developments and new technology affecting the industry as well as promoting the sale of its members products.
IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification – (IICRC) is a nonprofit certifying body for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industry. classroom study, pass a comprehensive examination, both written and practical, and submit a minimum of ten inspection reports for review by their peers. In addition, they must adhere to the IICRC Code of Ethics.
International Designers Guild – is an alliance of the most exclusive decorative floor covering showrooms in the world. It aim is to be the definitive measure of excellence in fine floor showrooms.
MFFA – Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association – Founded in 1897, the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association has established itself as the authoritative source of technical and general information on maple sports flooring.
MIA – Marble Institute of America promotes the use of natural stone and be the authoritative source of information on the standards of workmanship and practice and suitable application of stone products.
NAFCD – National Association of Floor Covering Distributors was organized to foster trade and commerce for those having a business, financial, or professional interest as wholesale distributors and manufacturers of floor coverings and allied products.
NICFI – National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors is a non profit organization for Certified Floor Covering Inspectors. The NICFI provides affordable education for the inspector, and a free referral service for end users.
NTC – National Training Center for Stone & Masonry Trades offers consultation and training for the stone industry and has a broad selection of information available for the industry and consumers alike.
NWFA – National Wood Flooring Association is a non-profit trade association representing all segments of the wood flooring industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers and installers. The NWFA’s mission is to be a leading resource of accurate and expert wood flooring information for the consumer and the wood flooring industry.
NOFMA – The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association, previously known as the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association has been a voice of authority for the wood flooring industry since 1909. NOFMA is the only organization to establish and actively enforce grade rules and quality standards for most domestic species of wood flooring.
NTCA - National Tile Contractors Association was organized and chartered in 1947. The National Tile Contractors Association is a non-profit trade association serving every segment of the industry, and is recognized as the largest and most respected national tile contractors association in the world.
NALFMA – North American Laminate Flooring Association was formed in 1997 by US and Canadian manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring. The primary purpose is to create voluntary product performance standards for laminate flooring in North America.
PFA – Polyurethane Foam Association has a web presence to provide information on key issues and product characteristics that may be of interest to flexible polyurethane foam users, researchers and academia.
TTMAC – Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association of Canada was founded in 1944. It’s mandate was to develop a method of standardizing terrazzo, tile and marble installation techniques, as well as being a technical resource and liaison for architects, designers and engineers.
TCA – Tile Council of America is a national trade association dedicated to expanding the market for ceramic tile manufactured in the United States of America.
WFCA – World Floor Covering Association the industry’s largest advocacy organization representing specialty floor covering retailers.
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